Keeping folk out

"Whoever is not against us is for us"

Mark 9v40

So what makes us special, Lord?

What are the perks for us?

If just as much good can be done without all the baggage

without the label and the lifestyle

without the code and the creed

then why saddle us with all that paraphernalia?

Don't we deserve that little bit extra

for keeping out the undesirables

maintaining exclusivity in your church?

You can't really want just anyone performing miracles,

casting out demons

If we can't do it

then no one else should.

We're a closed shop.

Those who don't look the part

or act the part

those who don't know or care for the rules

simply cannot belong.

Let them go elsewhere and do their good works.

They're not welcome here.

And, when we dwindle and die

because of our ineffectiveness,

at least we can claim:

We did it in Jesus name.

That'll make it OK, won't it?

As long as we use your name.

And, if the imposters should effect more good than us,

it's just that they got lucky.

Nothing to do with joining you in mission.

Nothing to do with simply getting on with it

regardless of who gets the credit

No, we need to close ranks

do the best we can

to keep do-gooding folk out

all in the name of Jesus.

Reflecting on the gospel this week, we are reminded that servants of God come in all shapes and guises. Surely a salutary call for our tendency to exclude for all sorts of reasons - and for no reason at all. God's mission, thankfully, exceeds all our boundaries and dismantles all the barriers we erect.